Book junkies, take note! Kenneth Gloss, proprietor of the Brattle Bookshop in downtown Boston, will discuss “Is There Value in your Old and Rare Books?” in a 6:30 p.m. talk Oct. 10 at Hyannis Public Library that’s part history, part anecdote and part appraisal information for those interested in finding out the value of their own books.

Gloss, who frequently appears as an appraiser on the popular PBS program Antiques Roadshow, will share some of his knowledge on determining a book’s value and how to define what’s an “old book,” as well as describe some of the amazing books and documents he has seen, owned and sold. Following a Q&A period after the lecture, Gloss will offer free verbal appraisals of books that folks bring to the talk.

Gloss’ parents bought the Brattle in 1949, and the late George Gloss was a well-known figure in the world of antiquarian books both here and abroad. Ken Gloss began working in the store as a child, joined the full-time staff in 1973 and became the sole proprietor after his father’s death in 2007.

Regarding the ongoing success of the three-story bookstore on Boston’s West Street, Ken Gloss said in a phone interview, “The key is getting books in constantly.” His day begins as early as 6:30 a.m. with catch-up work, and a bit later he heads off to keep appointments to appraise books and, possibly, add to his inventory. He lectures twice a month at colleges, libraries, antiquarian or historical societies, and enjoys trips to the Roadshow to see, yes, more books and documents, and meet the folks who’ve come with their treasures.

Reflecting on the future of the book business, Gloss was matter-of-fact, in an “enjoy it while you can” sort of way. He noted that used and second-hand bookstores are disappearing rapidly. Buying on the Internet is easy, with the ability to search multiple locations for copies of a desired book. On the down side, used books will probably disappear: “No used book is generated by a book on Kindle!” Anecdotal information or handwritten margin notes, all are lost to a tablet’s screen. In any society swinging toward the totalitarian, censorship could be widespread and more easily accomplished in the virtual world. In the end, though, Gloss said, it really doesn’t matter what we think. For better or worse, “cheap, easy and efficient is going to win.”

During his talks, Gloss tells anecdotes about the books he sees and the people he meets. But he says the real reason people attend his talks is that “they want me to do appraisals.” Everyone, he said, wants to know if they “have a rare treasure.” Oddly enough, though, he has found that people are often “happier to find out a book has no value.” Then they’re free to enjoy it or pass it along to others. First editions of Harry Potter books might add dollars to your pocket, but Gloss stresses that the real value of a book lies in the reading, not in an untouched version, pristine in a glassed-in cabinet.

Gloss has seen and appraised a first edition of Thoreau’s Walden, a a page from the original Gutenberg Bible and, timely it its way, shortly after 9/11 he purchased 10 letters written by Thomas Jefferson, in one of which he talked about “how to treat traitors and terrorists.” Asked to name one of the most extraordinary documents he’s ever seen, he recalled appraising “a four-page handwritten account of Paul Revere’s ride – by Paul Revere.”

A book can be rare (hard to find or limited in number) but worth little because no one’s lining up to own it. Some books more commonly available, such as first editions of Dickens or Hemingway, are worth more because they’re in wider demand. And a dust jacket in mint condition could change a book’s value from several hundred dollars to more than $150,000.

Gloss said that “90 percent of the time” he can do an accurate phone appraisal. Call or e-mail the Brattle Book Shop with your book information and they’ll help (800-447-9595;
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